The resident artists and architects awarded residencies at the British School at Rome represent the highest standard of contemporary cultural debate in the United Kingdom regarding art and architecture, through both their own practice and their responses to Rome. Not only are they established or young up-and-coming practitioners, but many also teach at college and university level, thus being actively engaged with current and emerging theoretical debates. This results in a vibrant cross-fertilisation of practices, stimulated not only by the city of Rome but also by the internal dialogue at the BSR. The Fine Arts Programme is run by Jacopo Benci, a practising artist with an extensive knowledge of the Italian and Roman art scene. Exhibitions of works by Fine Arts scholars are held at regular intervals throughout the year, as well as a programme of informal talks by the Fine Arts scholars (cf. below), and visits and trips. We are constantly aiming to increase the position of the British School as a happening and engaged centre for current artistic debate.